I am Ratif, a Rwandese gay man aged 26.
In my early years, I grew up with a desire to love males.
In Kigali – Rwanda, I grew up in a family where I was the only boy. My eight elder sisters used to date boys whom they introduced to me. In the long run, this seduced and intimidated me. So, I grew up with a desire to love males, and I lost feelings for ladies.
I became a professional teacher.
During my college years, I dated some guys and enjoyed them to the fullest. After graduating as a professional teacher, Nyarufunzo High School recruited me as a student teacher. As I grew up with a desire to love males, meeting many handsome young men to interact with was a fortunate bonus.
Outside of school, I started dating a guy called Aghastus Ninkumaana. We dated for over two years, and his life changed for the better because I gave him everything he needed.
Good things never last.
In due process, he had friends who also wanted the life he had. So, he recommended to me one who was also pretty looking.
One day, we planned to meet in the teacher’s quarters immediately after evening classes. Unfortunately, the guy came late, not knowing that security officers monitored the school after hours.
We were caught red-handed in a compromising situation by a security guard. I was arrested and kept in the school’s custody till dawn. The other guy took off, and I was to be taken to prison.
My escape.
Subsequently, I persuaded the police and bribed them with 2 million Rwandese Francs. I was released and fled Rwanda because news of my arrest was being spread everywhere. I hitched a lift to Kenya, where life became hard. As an educated man, I looked for UNCHR quarters in Kenya for assistance.
I arrived here in Kakuma in 2021.
They got me to Kakuma.
Since being here, I have got close to another camp colleague from Congo called Campos. He has been my friend, and we share the same shelter. The only positive things about being here are meeting Campos and the friendship from everyone in our block.
I have lost my past life because of homophobia, only to find gay and lesbian people are treated in Kakuma Camp equally horribly. It is now two years since I arrived here. We have all suffered beatings and attacks from straights here in camp. The food we are allocated is far too little, and we are discriminated against for medical needs because we are LGBT.
We are desperate to find a means to escape from this entrapment. Lack of food and a varied diet is our primary need, as is proper and timely medical care and attention. Please read about our miserable life in camp. Existing in Kakuma
I’m thankful to you for reading my story. I hope, in some small way, you can kindly help.
